Program Details

Registration in a part-time program is done on a course-by-course basis. Select available courses to your online shopping cart. If a course is not showing any upcoming start dates, please check back next term or contact the academic school to find out when it might be offered. For assistance, please contact Part-Time Studies at parttimestudies@fanshawec.ca or 519-452-4444.

Overview

Program Description

This program blends theory with hands-on application of theoretical principles delivered through course work and field practicum. Students in this program will develop their knowledge and professional skills in areas such as child development and best practices in early childhood; the early childhood educator's role and responsibilities; the importance of play in children's learning; family involvement and curriculum design and implementation.

When the student graduates they will have the knowledge and necessary skills to work with children, families and community in the context of early learning and development programs for children from birth to age 12. The student will be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including child care centres, early learning and family centres, Best Start programs, before and after school programs and with school boards.

Courses

Program Requirements

Level 1

Credits

Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

WRIT-1044

Reason & Writ 1 for Human Services

3

This course will introduce Human Services students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.

ECED-1084

Foundations of ECE

3

This course provides an introduction to the foundations and principles of early childhood education. It identifies the importance of a play based pedagogical approach to 'How Does Learning Happen?' Students will examine the role of the Early Childhood Educator in maintaining an inclusive, child centered and developmentally appropriate practice.

ECED-1003

Emotional Development & Early Relations

3

This course provides the opportunity to analyze the role of the educator in building supportive relationships that respond with sensitivity and respect to all children, enhance emotional and social development, and guide children's behaviour in ways which facilitate self esteem and self-control.

ECED-1074

Child Development: Intro

3

In this course students will investigate foundational child development theorists and their linkage to practice and pedagogy in early care and education systems. A continuum-based approach within the context of early year's programs, will be explored. Students will have opportunities to examine the structure and function of the brain, as well as consider the role that both heredity and environment play in the developing child. Current research, that informs policy in the early year's field, will additionally be analyzed.

PSYC-1101

Interpersonal Development

3

This course will introduce the concepts of bias-free values and multiple perspectives of diversity as foundations for effective interpersonal relationships. In this course, students will assess personal values and Professional disposition which influence attitudes towards and relationships with, children, families and colleagues. Sensitive, effective and supportive communication methods will be identified and practiced within the classroom setting. Both verbal and non-verbal communication skills and attitudes required for collaborative professional interactions will be emphasized throughout.

FLDP-1021

Field Orientation

2.4

Students will be introduced to the profession of Early Childhood Education. The class content will support the student in understanding the importance of building relationships with children, principles of practice, value of learning through play and being an ECE professional. The students will visit a child care agency and work with a Mentor to be oriented into the Field Practicum experience. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected at an introductory level.

Level 2

Credits

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

COMM-3072

Communications for Human Services

3

This course, designed for students who plan to work in the field of Human Services, focuses on professional written and verbal communication skills. Students learn to prepare a variety of work-related documents. In addition, students learn about research methods and documentation formats. The principles of effective writing - organization, grammar, style, clarity, and tone - are reinforced throughout the course. The goal of the course is to prepare students for the communication tasks and considerations they will encounter in the Human Service workplace in order to meet the needs of employers and/or the communities they will serve.

ECED-1075

Child Development: 0-3 Years

3

In this course students will explore theories of child development that inform pedagogy and practice prenatal through the first three years of life. Brain structure and function during this critical period of development will be analyzed. Sensitive and responsive interaction strategies and their connection to belonging, well-being, engagement and expression of the young child will be explored. The implications of temperament and attachment in the early years will be appraised.

FLDP-1022

Field Practicum 0-3 Years

4.4

In a child care setting with infants, toddlers or preschoolers students will have the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of child development, play based curriculum by implementing 'How Does Learning Happen', using appropriate and inclusive practice through routines, interactions and experiences which encourage play and exploration. Students will foster nurturing and supportive relationships, responding sensitively to the children's needs and utilizing guidance techniques that balance autonomy and security. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected.

ECED-1076

Curriculum & Pedagogy: 0-3 Years

3

This course examines the critical role of the early childhood educator in establishing sensitive and responsive relationships with children zero-3. This course focuses on understanding and responding to children's needs and interests through the integration of the principles from 'How does learning happen?' Students will have opportunities to facilitate observation based learning experiences using resource documents and video analysis. As this course is focused on understanding and responding to infant and toddler development, emphasis is placed on supporting children's strengths, needs, and interests through both planned and spontaneous curriculum.

ECED-1005

Health Safety & Nutrition in ECE

2

This course will identify components of a safe and healthy environment which meets the requirements of current legislation and regulatory bodies. The nutritional and health needs of young children are identified, and the implementation of appropriate environments and practices are discussed.

ECED-3022

Partnerships with Families

3

This course identifies the importance of establishing respectful, inclusive and responsive relationships with families. Students examine positive strategies for engaging families that promote collaboration and well-being for children in their families. Students examine the role of advocacy and community resources and how they best support individual families and their needs.

FLDP-1024

Field Seminar: 0-3 Years

1

This course is designed to integrate theory with practice, as well as to provide peer support for problem solving and sharing successful practicum experiences. This gives students an open forum to write, discuss, practice and reflect on the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed to be successful in the child care field. The students will develop a professional e-portfolio as a tool for documenting their skills, knowledge of the Vocational Learning Outcomes and ongoing professional learning.

Level 3

Credits

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

ECED-3003

Educational Perspectives

2

This course compares and evaluates Early Childhood Education philosophies and theories from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The emphasis will be on the student integrating current knowledge with experience from the field practicum, into a personal philosophy of Early Childhood Education.

ECED-3037

Inclusive Practice

3

This course examines the principles and practices of an inclusive philosophy in early childhood programs. Students will analyze current childcare practices through theoretical concepts such as the social model for disability and critical (race, gender, disability, and feminist) theories in order to take a strengths-based approach to inclusion and the implementation of inclusive practices and environments. Through this course, students will work together to create a 'tool box' that will be used in order to create an inclusion plan to support the full inclusion of a specific family. This course places emphasis on creating classrooms that promote full inclusion, equity and access to all children and families.

FLDP-3023

Field Practicum 3-6 Years

4.4

In a Full Day Kindergarten setting with children ages 3-6 years, students will have the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of child development, play based curriculum by implementing the Full Day Kindergarten Document, using appropriate and inclusive practice through routines, interactions and experiences which encourage play, exploration and inquiry based learning. Students will foster nurturing and supportive relationships, responding sensitively to the children's needs and utilizing guidance techniques that balance autonomy and security. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected.

ECED-3038

Child Development: 3-6 Years

3

In this course students will examine theories of preschool and kindergarten development and their impact on current pedagogy and practice. Preschool and kindergarten continuums will be utilized as a foundation to articulate development. Brain structure and function and their impact on the multi-faceted growth and development of the child will be investigated. Ethical and objective documentation, and the role of the early childhood educator in scaffolding child development will be explored.

ECED-3042

Curriculum & Pedagogy: 3-6 Years

3

This course examines and engages with the concepts of play-based learning, emergent curriculum, and child centred pedagogy. Through this course, students will gain an understanding of how observation and documentation can be used to facilitate play-based learning environments that are responsive to children's needs and interests. Students will practice the skills necessary to become reflective practitioners by learning to observe and interpret children's behavior, and to plan and implement curriculum that is responsive and engaging.

ECED-1053

Promoting Pro-Social Behaviour

3

This course explores the need for Early Childhood Educators to establish relationships, support play and foster children's acceptance within the peer group. It examines strategies for creating an environment and curriculum that enhance positive peer interactions and pro-social behaviour. Based on research in resilience, this course identifies risk and protective factors affecting emotional development, and impacting behaviour in early childhood settings. Students explore specific strategies for Early Childhood Educators to promote resilience in children at risk.

FLDP-3027

Field Seminar: 3-6 Years

1

This course is designed to integrate theory with practice, as well as to provide peer support for problem solving and sharing successful practicum experiences. This gives students an open forum to write, discuss, practice and reflect on the skills, knowledge and dispositions needed to be successful in the field. The students will continue to develop their professional e-portfolio as a tool for documenting their skills and knowledge and ongoing professional learning.

Level 4

Credits

Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:

ECED-3039

Child Development: 6-12 Years

2

This course will explore the development of school age children ages 6-12, and will identify guidelines for implementing developmentally appropriate practices in programs for school-age children. Observation, play based curriculum and pedagogical documentation will be explored to provide the students skills to implement an interesting, engaging and developmentally appropriate school age program.

ECED-3041

Understanding Child Abuse & Neglect

3

This online course provides information regarding the Early Childhood Educator's legal responsibilities in identifying and reporting suspicions of child abuse, domestic abuse and neglect. The course focuses on the different types of abuse including physical and behavioural indicators of abuse and behaviours in abusive adults. Strategies for supporting families and children are also covered including the most current literature on resiliency.

ECED-3040

Professionalism, Ethics & Advocacy

3

In this course, students will consider issues and perspectives that influence the professional behaviour and image of early childhood education, including implementation of a common philosophy, ethics, advocacy, and ongoing professional development. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own professionalism and appreciate the valuable contribution made by early childhood educators, both individually and collectively, to the broad spectrum of services for children and families.

ECED-3044

Best Practices: Reflective Practitioner

3

In this course students will have the opportunity to integrate and consolidate theoretical and practical learning while applying an understanding of reflective practice and pedagogical leadership in the context of best practice in the field of early education. Development is documented and supported through the revision and development of a professional e-portfolio.

SOCI-3003

Canadian Families:Change & Diversity

3

This course introduces students to different windows (theories) to understanding the issues families and children face. These sociological theories or perspectives are used to guide our thinking as applied to family life in all its forms. The intent is to learn how to best support the lives of children and parents as they work through various stressors to achieve success in their social worlds of education, work and leisure. The course is focused on the changing worlds and social structures that affect Canadian families, with particular emphasis on how the increasingly diverse nature of families shape policy, interactions, life-ways as well as living their day to day lives. Students will be encouraged to recognize the historical nature that has built Canadian values and the increasing challenges presented by achieving postmodern lives, GBLTQIP, ethnicity, economics, immigration and diversity that continue to shape beliefs, traditions and Canadian culture. Diversity both directly and indirectly shapes the experiences of all Canadian children. Students will develop skill in critical thinking and basic research and apply this knowledge to family and children's lives. Small picture or family issues are analyzed through the perspectives of economics, globalization, and culture.

FLDP-3024

Field Practicum 0-12 Years

4.4

In an Early Years setting with children ages 0-12 years, students will have the opportunity to integrate their knowledge of child development, play based curriculum by implementing the Early Childhood Education documents They will use appropriate and inclusive practice through routines, interactions and experiences which encourage play, exploration and inquiry based learning. Students will foster nurturing and supportive relationships, responding sensitively to the children's needs and utilizing guidance techniques that balance autonomy and security. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected.

Gen Ed - Electives

Take 3 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Level 1

Program Residency

Students Must Complete a Minimum of 20 credits in thisprogram at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residencyrequirement and graduate from this program

More Information

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Design, implement and evaluate inclusive and play-based early learning curriculum and programs that support children's holistic developmen and are responsive to individual children's and groups of children's observed abilities, interests and ideas.

Establish and maintain inclusive early learning environments that support diverse, equitable and accessible developmental and learning opportunities for all children* and their families.

Select and use a variety of screening tools, observation and documentation strategies to review, support and promote children's learning across the continuum of early childhood development.

Establish and maintain responsive relationships with individual children, groups of children and families.

Assess, develop and maintain safe, healthy and quality early learning environments which meet the requirements of current legislation, agency policies and evidence-based practices* in early learning.

Prepare and use professional written, verbal, nonverbal and electronic communications when working with children, families, colleagues, employers, and community partners.

Identify, select and apply relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, policies and evidence-based practice guidelines, and interpret their impact on a variety of early learning environments.

Apply a developing personal philosophy of early learning in accordance with ethical and professional standards of early childhood education practice.

Advocate for quality early learning environments and collaborate with members of the early learning team, families and community partners to establish and promote such settings.

Engage in reflective practice, develop learning goals and maintain an ongoing professional development plan in accordance with evidence-based practices in early learning and related fields.